Sun Jihai is one of a very small group of foreign players anointed into the Hall of Fame since it was set up in 2002.

But the others are all undoubted greats of the modern game – including Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry, Peter Schmeichal and Denis Bergkamp.

Downing Street this morning insisted David Cameron was not involved in the decision to anoint Sun Jihai.

“I'm not sure it's a decision for the Prime Minister who goes into the National Football Museum,” the PM's official spokesman said.

“I would imagine it's the National Football Museum.”

A spokesman for the museum said Sun Jihai was being recognised for his “ambassadorial role” rather than his defensive skills.

The spokesman said: "Sun Jihai is to be handed an honorary Hall of Fame ‘Special’ award by the National Football Museum.

“Other names in this category include Jimmy Hill, Jack Taylor and The Footballer’s Batallion.

“This is in recognition of his ambassadorial role in enhancing the profile and popularity of English football to a Chinese audience, and to coincide with the State visit to the UK by President Xi JingPing.”